Onboard audio and how to get 5.1/7.1 sound via HDMI

I'd figure I've got some time to make a new thread here for members of SevenForums who may have experienced some difficulty getting sound out of their computer via HDMI

Locate the SPDIF connector on your motherboard using a 2 pin spdif cable


PIN assignment #
1 Power
2 No pin
3 SPDIF
4 Spdifi
5 GROUND
6 Ground


Notice the bold and RED (SPDIF) and BLACK (ground)

Here is my motherboard EVGA 790i Ultra as an example marked by a red square (see attached pic).


Connect the 2 pin SPDIF cable from your motherboard (output) to your video card (GPU) input.
If you are running SLi(multiple video cards) pick the first video card (PCI-E slot #1).

NVIDIA based cards only (GeForce 8 series and up) may work for you.
Connect the graphics spdif pass through to your motherboard and then audio will "pass through" over to the hdmi.
If you're not sure look between the SLI Link and the 6 pin power connectors.


NOTE: make sure you are doing this with the computer power OFF, disconnect the power cord, as I am not responsible for any electrical shocks that may arise.


Make sure your speakers are connected properly on your AMP, and you may need to configure your AMP settings (HDMI settings).

Go to Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Sound and configure your audio settings.

Choose the correct sound output, you will see SPDIF out, and HDMI out.


NOTE: you may need to boot into your BIOS and enable HD Audio to ENABLED or ON (should be on by default).

Once all is done, now you have audio via HDMI (DVI-D adapter may be required).


I will do a future update how to output sound from soundcard via HDMI if anyone needs that info, I would be more than happy to help out.


Enjoy:)

I have audio trough my ATI HDMI card, but I did not know it is Realtek HD audio. Device manager says just ATI HD audio device.